 Is the "holy grail" of birth control actually on the horizon?
I talk to patients every day who are frustrated by the side effects of hormonal birth control. For decades, the weight of pregnancy prevention has fallen almost entirely on women, while male options have remained stuck at just two: condoms or a permanent vasectomy. But this new research out of Cornell is a total breath of fresh air. Researchers have found a way to target a specific stage of sperm production (meiosis) using a non-hormonal approach. In a recent study, they were able to effectively "turn off" fertility temporarily without causing any permanent damage. From a clinical perspective it’s truly reversible: In the trial, sperm production stopped completely during treatment, but normal development resumed within six weeks of stopping. The offspring were healthy, which is a huge green light for safety. Unlike the pill or the shot, which can impact your entire body’s hormonal balance, this method targets the testes directly while leaving stem cells intact. This opens the door for a future where contraception is a shared responsibility, rather than a solo burden. Now, we aren't at the pharmacy just yet. The specific molecule used in this study (JQ1) isn't safe for humans quite yet due to potential side effects, but it provides the exact "blueprint" needed to develop a human-safe version—likely as a simple periodic injection or a patch. An exciting male centric contraception development indeed! www.ruthhaskinsmd.com #OBGYN #BirthControl #HealthEquity #ruthhaskinsmd #ladydocfolsom
0 Comments
 The first photos from yesterday’s lunar flyby are simply stunning. Every day I get to be part of life beginning here on Earth and it’s humbling to see just how far we can go beyond it. 🌎  April is here bringing sunshine, fresh energy, and the joy of spring in full bloom. With Easter around the corner and longer, warmer days ahead, it’s a natural time to reset, recharge, and refocus on your health. As you settle into the new season, remember to prioritize your well-being too. April is a perfect time to schedule your annual exam, check in on your reproductive health, or simply come in for a conversation about how you’re feeling. Our team is here with the compassionate, personalized care you trust to support you through all stages of life, along with every season of the year.  She wasn't supposed to be there. So she changed the world instead. In honor of WomensHistoryMonth, let’s talk about a woman who refused to take "no" for an answer: Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell. In the 1840s, the idea of a female doctor was considered "mad or bad." When Elizabeth applied to Geneva Medical College, the faculty didn't want to reject her outright, so they let the all-male student body vote. Thinking it was a total joke, the students voted "yes" unanimously.They weren't laughing for long. Elizabeth didn't just attend; she thrived. Despite being forced to sit separately in lectures and being blocked from certain labs, she graduated first in her class in 1849, becoming the first woman in the U.S. to earn a medical degree. Her Impact on Women’s Health (OBGYN): • The New York Infirmary: In 1857, she co-founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children. It was the first hospital in America run entirely by women, for women. • Maternal Health Revolution: Long before "wellness" was a trend, she pioneered preventative care and hygiene. She saw that many infections in new mothers were caused by doctors simply not washing their hands—and she fought to change the standard of care forever. • The First Black Female Doctor: Her infirmary provided a clinical home for Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first African American woman to become a physician in the U.S. Dr. Blackwell once said, "It is not easy to be a pioneer—but oh, it is fascinating!" Today, we stand on the shoulders of her stubbornness and her brilliance. www.ruthhaskinsmd.com #WomensHistoryMonth #ElizabethBlackwell #OBGYN #Trailblazers #ruthhaskinsmd #ladydocfolsom  In case you missed it (because it somehow wasn’t exactly front-page everywhere) — a federal court quietly dropped a pretty important ruling yesterday on vaccine policy. Not about banning vaccines. Not about mandating them. It was about an attempt to dissolve and replace the federal advisory board that reviews the science and helps set the vaccine schedule. The administration (with RFK Jr. involved) tried to essentially reset that board — new people, new direction, new recommendations. The judge’s response was basically: • You don’t get to scrap an independent scientific panel on a whim • There’s a legal process for that — and you skipped it • So the board stays What that means right now: • The existing advisory board is still in place • Current vaccine recommendations don’t change • Any future changes have to go through the actual, established process So no — vaccines weren’t “reversed. Court reminds everyone that even big policy swings still require rules, structure, and process. Which feels like something we shouldn’t need reminding of… but apparently we do. www.ruthhaskinsmd.com #vaccineruling #obgyn #druthhaskinsmd #ladydocfolsom  Women’s Health Update: What Matters Right Now There’s a lot of medical news out there — but here’s what’s actually important for women to know in 2026: • Painful periods are NOT something you just have to live with. Conditions like endometriosis affect 1 in 10 women, and we’re finally seeing better awareness and earlier diagnosis. • Fertility is becoming proactive, not reactive. More women are starting conversations earlier — not waiting until there’s a problem. • Technology is improving care — but it’s not a replacement for real conversations. AI and new tools are helping, but your symptoms, your story, and your voice still matter most. • Prevention is everything. Annual exams, open conversations, and early evaluation can make a huge difference in long-term health. The biggest shift? Women are being heard more — and that’s changing outcomes. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and speak up. Your health is worth it. www.ruthhaskinsmd.com #WomensHealth #OBGYN #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd The news lately has been… a lot.
War is ugly, fatal, destructive, tragic and unpredictable, where outcomes are uncertain and rules are left behind. Stories about the girls’ school being bombed by the US in Iran and the heartbreaking loss of so many young lives are devastating. Meanwhile our supposed “grown-ups in the room” seem to be auditioning for a political sitcom. Our chief negotiator can’t seem to wear the right shoe size, our Defense Secretary - sorry Secretary of War - sounds like the drunk loud guy at a frat party, and the president appears physically incapable of telling the truth without needing a fact-checker and a time-out. So for a brief moment… I’m choosing a reset. No geopolitics, No pundits, No spin. Just this video of a smiling baby reminding us that innocence, joy, and the simple parts of life still exist. Consider it a small palate cleanser for the soul. 😊 www.ruthhaskinsmd.com #madnessreset #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd  March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate women and celebrate those whose courage, intelligence, and determination helped shape the world we live in today. Throughout history, women have broken innumerable barriers and achieved extraordinary milestones. Women such as Marie Curie, who became the first person to win two Nobel Prizes and transformed our understanding of radiation. Rosa Parks helped spark the modern civil rights movement through a quiet but powerful act of courage. Amelia Earhart pushed the limits of aviation and inspired generations to dream bigger. In science and medicine, women like Dr. Virginia Apgar revolutionized newborn care with the Apgar Score, while Dr. Helen Brooke Taussig helped pioneer life-saving surgery for infants with congenital heart disease. In space exploration, Katherine Johnson’s mathematical brilliance played a critical role in the success of NASA’s early missions. Women’s History Month is a wonderful reminder that progress is built by those willing to challenge limits and open doors for others. This month let us celebrate the female pioneers who came before us and the countless women who continue to lead, innovate, and inspire in every field every day. Here’s to the women who changed history, the women shaping our world today, and the girls who will lead tomorrow. www.ruthhaskinsmd.com #InternationalWomensMonth #ladydocfolsom #obgyn #ruthhaskinsmd  March is here! As we welcome the first days of spring and longer, brighter afternoons, it’s the perfect time for renewal, fresh starts, and prioritizing your health. While you’re spring cleaning your home and calendar, don’t forget about your well-being. March is a great time to schedule your annual exam, check in on your reproductive health, or simply come talk with us about how you’re feeling. Our team is here with the compassionate care you trust — helping you stay healthy, balanced, and supported through every season of life. Call: (916) 817-2649 or visit: www.ruthhaskinsmd.com #SpringRefresh #WomensHealth #LadyDocFolsom #OBGYN #RuthHaskinsMD  After the State of the Union, I can’t shake thinking about the real state of the union rather than the “speech", not the staged partisan applause, but what’s actually happening in this country. We’re told everything is “the best it’s ever been.” That the economy is booming. That the nation is safe. That corruption is under control. CBS gave Trump’s speech lavish praise. Really? That’s the messaging. Spin trying to pass as reality and relentless repetition drowns out truth. Meanwhile, lies are piling up faster than raindrops in a thunderstorm. Facts are twisted. History is rewritten. Public memory is manipulated. Press control isn’t subtle anymore; it’s normalized propaganda, often under the cloak of patriotism. Journalists repeat narratives uncritically while accountability seems to have vanished into the ether. The Epstein files sit like an open wound, as we incredulously watch the blatant cover-up continue. The highest echelons of power evade justice while ordinary citizens see the system bend for elites. It’s hard to call this governance; the U.S is a theater of power, and the curtain is permanently drawn on consequences. Olympic athletes are unwittingly politicized, signaling that this normalization extends beyond politics. Questionable appointments to top medical posts are made to people whose record on science and public health is, at best, dubious. Build-up toward war with Iran is whispered in halls of power while the public watches the rhetoric escalate, desensitized to catastrophe. Laws are ignored, sections of law enforcement have become militarized with citizens executed on our streets. Congress seems to have completely abdicated all responsibilities. Corruption is rampant, brazen, and profitable. Influence is monetized. Public service is for sale. Our allies hedge, and our credibility erodes. What was once a proud country seen as a pillar of democracy now feels arrogant, bullying and transactional, fragile, corrupt, and performative. The real state of the union isn’t measured in applause, spin, or headlines proclaiming greatness. It’s measured in fact, truth, accountability, and the fragile trust of its people. Right now, that trust feels dangerously thin as we travel on the wrong side of history. www.ruthhaskinsmd.com #stateoftheunion #obgyn #ladydocfolsom #ruthhaskinsmd |
AuthorDr. Haskins brings over 30 years of experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology As a former CMA President, she is actively involved in the political process and is well known at the state capitol and in congress as a passionate advocate for women's health care. Archives
March 2026
Categories |
RSS Feed
